Melina Hoyos is a master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the College of William and Mary (W&M). In 2020 she earned her B.A. in psychology from Christopher Newport University. Currently Melina is a master’s-level fellow of the Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP) with the American Psychological Association, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2022. Melina also serves as a clinical mental health counselor intern at W&M where she provides counseling services in individual, family, and group settings. Broadly, Melina’s research and clinical interests include Latinx counseling and Spanish-language counseling with a specific interest in trauma and trauma informed treatment.
When reflecting on how the MFP has enriched her academic and professional career, Melina shared that her experience as a fellow has provided networking opportunities and connections as well as tremendous support for her growth and professional development, which has given her confidence. She stated, “The MFP offers personal support that has increased my confidence and decreased the stress of being in graduate school. My professional knowledge has greatly flourished through various trainings on unique characteristics of mental health in racial and ethnic minority groups. Additionally, being in a cohort has provided me with great networking opportunities within my professional field. I have met people all around the country with similar interests to my own. We have also been able to learn from each other through sharing ideas and perspectives.”
Melina was drawn to the MFP because the program’s mission aligns with her goals as a clinician in addition to the opportunities for implementing change in immigrant and Hispanic/Latinx communities. She shared, “MFP’s mission is near and dear to my heart and a significant theme in my work. As a Hispanic woman who works with Hispanic immigrants in distress, reducing health disparities in racial and ethnic minorities is a foundation of my motivation in my work. Furthermore, I was specifically drawn to the IMFP because it emphasizes diversity, equality, and inclusion and their support of students in the field personally and professionally.”
In addition to her studies and interning at her university, Melina has been working to complete projects and practicum assignments as a requirement of her fellowship. Melina has made history on her campus and in her program, she shared, “For my practicum and internship experiences, I was the pioneer clinician in the partnership between my university’s counseling clinic and the law school’s immigration clinic. I offer free individual, group, and family Spanish-language counseling services to immigrants in a legal process and other community members.”
Melina plans to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the MFP to her professional practice as a clinician and hopes to encourage counseling in immigrant, Hispanic, and Latinx communities. She shared, “The multicultural competency skills and knowledge I am gaining from this fellowship have already been beneficial to my work and will continue to do so. With what I have learned and attained, I can better understand clients and provide a safe space for members of marginalized communities.”
After completing her M.Ed., Melina’s career goals include conducting therapy and remaining actively involved in advocacy for diversity and inclusion in her field. She explained “After graduation, I plan to work with a nonprofit community clinic to increase accessibility to Spanish-language counseling. I am keeping my options very open when it comes to visualizing the commencement of my career, but it is imperative that diversity, equality, and inclusion are core aspects of my work.”
When asked if she had advice for anyone thinking about applying to the MFP, Melina provided these inspiring words, “Do it! The support is tailored to your needs and the fellowship fosters new opportunities to learn and grow in your field.”